Iraqi Kurdish regional gov’t leader emphasizes strong ties between region, Türkiye
Nechirvan Barzani, the regional president of Iraqi Kurdistan, dips his finger in ink after casting his vote for the parliamentary election at a polling station in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous northern Kurdish region, on October 20, 2024. - Voters in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region headed to the polls on October 20 to elect a new parliament for the oil-rich region, where voters have expressed disenchantment with the political elite. (Photo by Safin HAMID / AFP)
The president of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani, emphasized on Sunday that relations between the KRG and Türkiye are “very good” and continue to progress positively.
Barzani made the statement after casting his vote in the sixth parliamentary elections in Erbil, addressing a range of issues, including his recent visit to Ankara.
Barzani’s visit to Türkiye focuses on strengthening ties
Barzani highlighted that his Oct. 16 meetings in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan centered around strengthening bilateral relations, with discussions covering economic cooperation, security concerns, and broader regional developments. The meetings aimed to improve collaboration on multiple fronts, he noted.
“We had a very productive meeting with President Erdogan, focusing on improving our relations and addressing both economic and security issues,” Barzani said.
Hopes for peaceful elections in KRG
Besides discussing international relations, Barzani expressed hope for a peaceful election process in the KRG, encouraging voters to exercise their rights in a secure environment. He expressed optimism that the elections would take place without incident.
“I hope that today’s elections will be conducted in peace and security, and that all voters will have the opportunity to exercise their rights,” he said after voting.
Relations with Türkiye continue to grow
Barzani’s visit to Ankara underscores the growing partnership between the KRG and Türkiye. Relations between the two have improved over the years, particularly in areas of trade, energy, and security cooperation.
The KRG continues to rely on Türkiye as a key partner for economic growth and stability in the region. Both leaders have maintained open lines of communication, ensuring that collaboration remains strong in the face of regional challenges.
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